In much the same way do the commonalty lead their leaders in many other things, at the same time that the leaders little suspect it.  老百姓在其他许多别的事情上也差不多是这样领导他们的领袖,而那些领袖却对此莫知莫觉。

But wherefore it was that after having repeatedly smelt the sea as a merchant sailor, I should now take it into my head to go on a whaling voyage;  可是,我以前一再喝海水都是当商船水手,怎么这回竟会异想天开,要去作一次捕鲸航行呢;

this the invisible police officer of the Fates, who has the constant surveillance of me,  关于这一点,司命运诸神那个无形的警官...他一径监视着我,

and secretly dogs me, and influences me in some unaccountable way-- he can better answer than any one else.  冥冥中守护着我,又莫名其妙地左右着我...要比别的任何人更能解答得好。

And, doubtless, my going on this whaling voyage, formed part of the grand programme of Providence that was drawn up a long time ago.  而且,毫无疑义,我这次捕鲸之行,是老天爷好久以前就已拟好的伟大节目单的一部分。

It came in as a sort of brief interlude and solo between more extensive performances.  它是两场规模宏大的演出中间的一个短短插曲或者独唱。

I take it that this part of the bill must have run something like this: 我认为,节目单上的这个部分大致上准是这样写法:

"Grand Contested Election for the Presidency of the United States.  美国总统大竞选

"WHALING VOYAGE BY ONE ISHMAEL." "BLOODY BATTLE IN AFFGHANISTAN." 以实玛利出海捕鲸，阿富汗斯坦血战记。